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ST CLOUD WEST

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CLEARWATER

WAYZATA

AVON

LONG PRAIRIE

BROWERVILLE

CONTENTS E X P LO R I N G C E N T R A L M I N N ES OTA’ S B US I N ESS ES

GROW | NETWORK |

PROFIT

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 : 18 To p H a t s / 2 0 N e t w o r k Ce n t ra l / 2 8 Ec o n o m y Ce n t ra l

38 ALL IN THE FAMILY Thoughtful succession planning helps protect both the business and the family relationships behind it.

SPECIAL FOCUS 42 LEARNING CURVE Five area higher education institutions are evolving their programs, leadership and priorities to meet changing student and workforce needs. –––––– 46 SLOWER GROWTH, CONTINUED OPPORTUNITY Growth in Central Minnesota’s labor market varies by industry, but remains above average.

Cover Story 32 IN GOOD COMPANY Guy Magno, Ryan Schoepf and Taylor Feero have built an entrepreneurial partnership rooted in creativity, collaboration and community.

GROW

48 2026 CENTRAL MINN. GROWTH GUIDE

ONLYONLINE

NETWORK

BUSINESSCENTRAL MAGAZINE.COM

8 UPFRONT Valuable information designed to guide and educate

22 BUSINESS TOOLS Useful tips and intelligence on how to continue to grow your business

50 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Aslan Health founders Rebecca and Clay White

• Talk the Talk • It’s Lonely at the Top • Mentoring in the AI Era • Be a Villager

42 ON DECK

COMING IN NOVEMBER: Financial Services Are you interested in advertising?

Contact Melinda at melindav@businesscentralmagazine.com to find out more!

Main Phone: (320) 251-2940 / Automated Reservation Line: (320) 656-3826 info@StCloudAreaChamber.com / StCloudAreaChamber.com

President: Julie Lunning, (320) 656-3804 Director of Finance and Operations: Kristi O'Connor, (320) 656-3806 Director of Programs & Events: Laura Wagner, (320) 656-3831 Director of Marketing & Communications: Emily Bertram, (320) 656-3809 Director of Membership: Bradley Hoelscher, (320) 656-3824 Executive Assistant: Shelly Imdieke, (320) 656-3800

ST. CLOUD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2026-27 BOARD MEMBERS ____________________________ Nick Bischoff, Design Electric Doug Cook, Headwaters Strategic Succession Consulting LLC, Board Chair Joe Hellie, CentraCare Hudda Ibrahim, OneCommunity Alliance Dave Kleis, Central Minnesota Driving Academy Matt Laubach, West Bank

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU STAFF ____________________________

Laurie Putnam, St. Cloud School District 742

Executive Director: Rachel Thompson, (320) 202-6728 Director of Sales: Nikki Gustafson, (320) 202-6712

Paul Radeke, Creative Planning, Past Board Chair Alex Schoephoester, Spencer Fane Amy Sip, ASip Consulting

Sales Manager: Sabrina Koelsch, (320) 202-6713

Rachael Sogge, Eyecon Graphics

Sports Director: Craig Besco, (320) 202-6711 Marketing Manager: Rachel Foos, (320) 202-6729 Marketing & Services Coordinator: Carlie Mertens, (320) 202-6770 Information Specialist: Maddy Lindholm, (320) 251-4170

Melinda Tamm, Ms. Melinda’s Dance Studio, Vice Chair of the Board Dr. Gregory Tomso, St. Cloud State University Donella Westphal, Jules’ Bistro Rebecca White, Aslan Health

Growing to Care for

You

As our area grows, so do the healthcare needs in our region. That’s why we’ve expanded CentraCare Plaza — providing improved access, more convenience, and the latest technology. CentraCare Plaza Expansion — better care for you. CentraCare.com S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 // BusinessCentralMagazine.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

Business Central Magazine Editor Emily Ber tram "taking photos" for the Switchboard cover shoot with owners, Guy Magno, Taylor Feero and Ryan Schoepf –––––––

Life happens. Coffee helps.

he first time I ever drank coffee (if you could call it that)

chain. On a sunny summer morning, you'll find me on a patio

was a Berry White Mocha from Caribou on the St. Cloud

with a cold brew. On a cozy winter day, few things beat a

State University campus. This drink is a sugary explosion of

steaming cup of coffee and a good book. Coffee dates with

white chocolate, raspberry flavoring, espresso and milk — a far

friends are special, coffee before work is essential, and don't

cry from black coffee. But let me tell you, it's delicious, and it

even get me started on the joy of seasonal drinks.

got me through more than a few evening classes. When I began my internship after college, all my coworkers were devoted black coffee drinkers. I remember thinking

The best part about coffee isn't just what's in the cup — it's how it brings people together. It's the laughs and tears shared around a table of mugs. It’s the gesture of goodwill or

they looked so cool and professional sitting in their cubicles with mugs in hand. I wanted to be like them. Around that time, I

appreciation for someone

The best part about coffee isn't just what's in the cup, it's how it brings people together. It's the laughs and tears shared around a table of mugs.

discovered coffee syrup — an easy way to add flavor without loading up on cream.

of peace, clarity or creativity that somehow feel more complete with a warm drink in hand.

Guy Magno, Taylor Feero and Ryan Schoepf understand

I still enjoy the occasional splash of sugar-free vanilla syrup,

that. Not only do they own a coffee roastery and shop,

but I've long since given up trying to look cool while sipping

they also own a creative agency dedicated to capturing

black coffee.

emotion and telling meaningful stories, along with two

In the early days of my next job, I distinctly remember taking

coworking spaces that help entrepreneurs write their own

a work trip to Duluth and stopping at a local coffee shop with a

stories. You can learn more about their entrepreneurial

group of new coworkers. I stared at the menu, trying to order

ecosystem on page 32.

something that would make it seem like I knew what I was

I should probably end with a disclaimer: I'm not totally

doing. I settled on a plain latte. One sip later, I knew ... I hated

addicted. I really only drink a cup or two of coffee a day.

coffee. Just kidding. What I quickly learned was that adding a

Sometimes I even switch things up with a chai latte

little flavoring to a latte makes all the difference.

or an iced matcha.

Since then, my coffee tastes have evolved. I've graduated

Black coffee, though? Still a hard no.

from flavored lattes (except pumpkin spice, I still have a soft spot for those) to cappuccinos, macchiatos, shaken espressos,

Until next time,

nitro cold brews and more. I have a coffee pot at home and a bean grinder for the good stuff, though I still prefer a splash of vanilla creamer in my morning cup. While I love coffee, I also love the experience — the ritual. When I travel, I always seek out a local coffee shop instead of a

you love. It's the moments

BusinessCentral Magazine.com // S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6

Emily Bertram, Editor

Publisher Julie Lunning // Editor Emily Bertram // Founding Editor Gail Ivers

1411 West St. Germain Street, Suite 101, St. Cloud, MN 56301

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Emily Bertram, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

ADVERTISING

Phone: (320) 251-2940

Associate Publisher/Sales

Fax: (320) 251-0081

Katie Blue, Recovery Community Network

Melinda Vonderahe, Marketing Consultant

BusinessCentralMagazine.com

Hannah Fairman, University of Minnesota

Ad Traffic & Circulation

———————

Luke Greiner, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development

Yola Hartmann, Hazel Tree Media

For advertising information contact

Tatum Hoff, Stearns History Museum

ART

———————

Design & Production

Editorial suggestions

Vicki Johnson, St. Cloud Area Planning Organization A.J. Kaufman, freelance writer Jonathan Kreilein, Creative Planning Lynn MacDonald, St. Cloud State University Brodie Miller, Rinke Noonan Jami Trenam, Great River Regional Library

Melinda Vonderahe (320) 656-3808

Yola Hartmann, Hazel Tree Media

can be made in writing to:

Cover Story Photography

Editor, Business Central, 1411 West

Switchboard

St. Germain Street, Suite 101, St. Cloud, MN 56301 or emailed to ebertram@ stcloudareachamber.com. Submission of materials does not guarantee publication.

© Copyright 2026 Business Central LLC. Business Central is published six times a year by the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, 1411 West St. Germain Street, Suite 101, St. Cloud, MN 56301. Phone (320) 251-2940 / Subscription rate: $18 for 1 year.

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 // BusinessCentralMagazine.com

UPFRONT GROW | NETWORK | PROFIT

N E WS & P EO P L E T H AT M A K E U P T H E C H A M B E R N E T W O R K

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : New at the Top / Digging H is to ry / Yo u r Vo ice in Govern me n t / T h e Tro u b le w it h B us i ne ss BOOK REVIEW

NEWS REEL

Making Time for What Matters Structure and greater awareness of how we spend our time can create more space for our goals within the realities of everyday life. By Jami Trenam

Bus operator wins national Roadeo Metro Bus operator David Peacock placed first in the 35-Foot Division at

ack-to-school season feels like an opportunity to establish new patterns and routines — or adjust our schedules to accommodate the flurry of autumn activities. Best-selling author Laura Vanderkam’s Tranquility by Tuesday helps us make more room in our days for the things that matter most. A time management and productivity expert, Vanderkam offers nine practical strategies for making the most of the 168 hours in each week. Section 1: Calm the Chaos This section, which focuses on laying the foundation, starts with Give Yourself a Bedtime; Plan on Fridays; and Move by 3 p.m. As adults, we often stay up later than we should, even though we know everything is harder when we're running on too little sleep. Planning on Fridays allows us to anticipate busy days, rearrange commitments when needed, and head into the week with intention. Moving by 3 p.m. helps ensure exercise doesn't

become the first thing sacrificed when work, family, or simple exhaustion gets in the way. Section 2: Make Good Things Happen Here we are rethinking expectations and personal goals. Three Times a Week is a Habit reminds us that habits don’t have to happen every day to be meaningful. Create a Backup Slot builds resilience into our schedules by planning alternate times. One Big Adventure, One Little Adventure gives us permission to intentionally plan moments of joy and whimsy, noting that looking forward to an adventure can be almost as rewarding as the adventure itself. Take One Night for You encourages us to protect time for ourselves, whether that means pursuing a hobby, meeting a friend, or simply enjoying an evening without obligations — with a backup slot, of course.

recommends setting aside dedicated blocks of time for similar activities to accomplish them faster. Effortful Before Effortless encourages us to fill our leisure time first with activities that require a little effort — reading, crafting, exercising, or learning something new — before turning to effortless entertainment like social media. In Tranquility by Tuesday Vanderkam’s focus is on making room for the people, hobbies, and experiences that give our lives meaning. Her suggestions are practical, realistic, and easy to experiment with, making this a worthwhile read for anyone hoping to bring a little more calm and purpose to a busy season.

Community Transportation Association of America’s annual National Community Transportation Roadeo. The event brings bus operators from across the U.S. together to showcase safety and service skills.

Arvig promotes Weichman Arvig’s Ben Weichman was promoted to chief technology officer. He will provide leadership for Arvig’s technology strategy. Most recently he served as director of network strategy and engineering and has over 20 years of experience in telecom.

Jami Trenam is the associate director of collection development at Great River Regional Library.

CHECK IT OUT! Tranquility by Tuesday is available for free in print and

Stearns Electric employees give back As part of Stearns Electric’s “My Co-op Cares” employee volunteer program, twelve

Section 3: Waste Less Time

eAudiobook from the public library. Reserve your copy at

recently volunteered their time

It’s time to refine schedules. Batch the Little Things

griver.org.

at Camphill Village Minnesota

Stearns Electric employees

in Sauk Centre, repairing and staining some of Camphill Village’s community decks. Stearns Electric’s “My Co-

Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters; Lau ra Van der kam, 20 22, Portfolio, a n im p rint of Pe n gu in R an do m Ho u se, New Yo r k; ISBN: 9 78 0 59 3 419 0 0 7

op Cares” program is in its eighth year of volunteering with various organizations throughout its service territory.

BusinessCentral Magazine.com // S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6

POINT OF VIEW

Business Central asked:

What is something you’ve come to appreciate more over time?

Joe Ludwig

–––––– Time itself — being more aware of how fast life goes and learning to slow down and enjoy the little moments.

Kimberlee Buller, Scouting America

Taylor Sellnow, Moxie Creative

Brenda Sickler, Theisen Dental

––––––

Money — it’s different when it’s your own!

That “no” is a complete sentence — and it’s okay to say.

The St. Cloud area. I’m from Missouri and moved here from the Twin Cities 28 years ago. It’s such a beautiful area — a city that has everything you want with a hometown feel. St. Cloud has a lot to offer in arts, business, nature, proximity to up north and the Twin Cities, and lots of friendly people.

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S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 // BusinessCentralMagazine.com

NETWORK

UPFRONT

NEWS REEL

N E W AT T H E TO P

F U N FACT:

CentraCare Foundation celebrates community

I am a dual national of Slovakia and the United States.

CentraCare Foundation welcomed donors and community leaders to its annual celebration of giving, La Gratitude. The event serves as a tribute to those whose generosity and dedication continue to shape the future of healthcare for patients and families across Minnesota. The 2026 ceremony included special tributes to Charles Ehlen, M.D.; Dorothy Gorecki and Don Weeres, along with the Foundation’s 2026 award winners: Caduceus Award: Phil Boyle, M.D. Corporate Partner of the Year Award: BCI Construction Inc. Service to the Foundation

Gregory Joseph Tomso, 55 President, St. Cloud State University When did you start at SCSU? January 5, 2026 What was your previous position/work history: Vice President for Academic Engagement and Student Affairs at the University of West Florida, 2021-2025; Director of University of West Florida Honors Program 2017-2021; Chair, UWF Department of English, 2014-2017

What is something that you really enjoyed in your previous positions? As a faculty member, I enjoyed working directly with students, teaching, and running study abroad programs. As a leader, I enjoyed leading change, improving student outcomes, growing enrollment, and building strong ties between the campus and the community.

What are you looking forward to the most in your new position? Working with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members. The people are what make the job great! Where did you grow up? Chesapeake, Virginia What are your hobbies? Ceramics and cooking

Award: Chip Martin-Chaffee, M.D. Lifetime Achievement Award: Gary & Jane Marsden

Weightman receives recognition Quinlivan & Hughes attorney Erin Weightman was selected

PEOPLE TO KNOW

Connecting the Faces Meet the volunteers who welcome, connect, and support members through networking, mentorship, and Chamber engagement.

for the University of South Dakota Foundation & Alumni Association’s 30 Under 30 class. The annual program honors outstanding alumni under age 30 for their leadership, achievement,

Jenna Binsfeld CentraCare

The Top Hat Ambassadors welcome new members,

Phone: (320) 251-2700

congratulate members who have expanded or

Chair, Top Hat

relocated, and serve as greeters and hosts at

Ambassadors

Chamber events.

and community impact. Weightman was recognized

in the Civic Trailblazers

Tina Mrozek

category, which highlights

Blacklight Adventures

The Annual Chamber Celebration is the Chamber’s

alumni making a difference

Phone: (320) 774-1500

volunteer recognition event and annual meeting.

through service and civic

Chair, Annual Chamber

Committee members are responsible for planning

leadership.

Celebration

the celebration and soliciting sponsorships.

BusinessCentral Magazine.com // S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6

BUSINESS PROFILE: ST. CLOUD LIVE

SPONSORED PROFILE

NORTH CENTRAL ENTERS ITS NEXT CHAPTER

orth Central Group, part of Scipi Companies and headquartered in St. Cloud, is entering a new chapter with its evolution into North Central Bus and North Central Upfitting. Driven by continued growth, the organization has established dedicated leadership for each business, appointing Blake Saxon as president of North Central Bus and promoting Scott Schug to president of North Central Upfitting. Blake Saxon Together, Saxon and Schug bring complementary experience to North Central’s next chapter. Saxon contributes nearly 20 years of leadership in the automotive, dealership and fleet industries, while Schug’s deep knowledge earned through 20+ years in the upfitting space has helped

drive the growth of North Central Upfitting. Their combined leadership positions the organization to build on its strong foundation while pursuing new opportunities across the transportation and vehicle upfitting industries. “The opportunity to build on an already strong organization was incredibly appealing,” Saxon said. “North Central has a talented team, a strong reputation and a commitment to serving customers the right way.” Scott Schug The expanded leadership structure reflects North Central’s continued investment in its people, its customers and the future of transportation and upfitting — positioning both North Central Bus and North Central Upfitting for long-term growth across the Upper Midwest. •

North Central, a Scipi Company 25112 22nd Ave, St. Cloud, MN

northcentralinc.com

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 // BusinessCentralMagazine.com

TOPHATS GROW | NETWORK | PROFIT

B U S I N E S S E S A R O U N D T H E ST. C LO U D A R E A

S T. C L O U D A R E A H A P P E N I N G S : W e l c o m i n g n e w m e m b e r s , c e l e b ra t i n g n e w l o c a t i o n s , n e w o w n e r s h i p a n d m a j o r a n n i v e r s a r i e s

TO P H ATS : N E W M E M B E R S

Pediatric Partners, play-based therapy for children, 108 Doctors Park, St. Cloud. Pictured: Top-Hatters Rachel Layton and Debbie Clausen with Pediatric Partners team.

Farmers Insurance – Simi Agency Inc, Insurance agency, 4180 Thielman Lane, Ste. 108, St. Cloud. Pictured: Rachael Sogge, Jed Simi, Heidi Hall, Brooke Krystosek, Paula Capes.

Doss for Congress, Campaign team to elect Kelly Doss to U.S. House of Representatives for Congressional District 6, (no physical location). Pictured: Patrick Hollermann, Bruce Powlish, Kelly Doss, Dexter Hanson, Rachael Sogge.

American Family Insurance – Ehlinger & Associates Inc, insurance agency, 1123 2nd Street S, Waite Park. Pictured: Rachael Sogge, Eain Servais, Isaiah Ehlinger, Paula Capes.

MN Crypto Council, blockchain and digital asset education, 3800 8th Street N, Ste. 102, St. Cloud. Pictured: Chase Larson, Rachael Sogge, Alex Schoephoerster.

Samantha Nesse Photography/Nesse Collective, photography services, 22 Wilson Ave. NE, Ste. 16, St. Cloud. Pictured: Mike Brower, Samantha Nesse, Jenna Binsfeld.

PrimeSource Funding, financing help for homebuyers, 2137 Troop Drive, Sartell. Pictured: Paula Capes, Jeremy Girgen, Chris Jacques.

Box 7 Media, podcast production and more, 602 2nd Ave. NE, St. Joseph. Pictured: Rory Cruser, Jeremy Schreifels, Brady DeGagne.

MC’s Lawn & Landscaping, residential and commercial landscaping services, 3423 County Road 74, St. Cloud. Pictured: Jenna Binsfeld, Mike Silbernick.

D & P’s Rapid Repair, automotive shop, 229 Stearns Drive, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Lance Barthel, Sydney Underwood, Marcus Heath, Brian Jarl.

AT&T Store – Saint Cloud Crossroads Mall, cellular services, 4101 W Division Street, St. Cloud. Pictured: Traci Doll, Rachel Layton, Zak Kayderross.

Breitbach Construction Co, contracting and construction, 802 1st Ave., Elrosa. Pictured: Rory Cruser, Adam Breitbach.

Kuyava Consulting, fractional safety training and planning, 1490 Waldorf Ct. NE, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Jason Miller, Leah Kuyava, Rachel Layton.

Operation New Path, non-profit, (no physical location). Pictured: Mike Brower, Yassi Petersen, Sean Petersen, Rachael Sogge.

Bad Habit Brewing Company, brewery, 25 College Ave. N, St. Joseph. Pictured: Debbie Clausen, Laura Hartog, Eric Geier, Erin Ross, Jenna Binsfeld.

BusinessCentral Magazine.com // S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6

Your next step matters, Magnifi it.

TO P H ATS : N E W M E M B E R S

HMC Boudoir, photography, (no physical location). Pictured: Kris Nelson, Jodie Heinen, Mike Brower.

Kitchenette, restaurant, 417 E St. Germain Street, St. Cloud. Pictured: Patrick Hollermann, Maddie Waseka, Rachael Sogge.

Discovery Church, 700 18th Street NW, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Guy Magno, Pastor John David, Rachael Sogge.

CHECKING ACCOUNTS. CASH MANAGEMENT TOOLS. PERSONALIZED SERVICE.

TO P H ATS : N E W LO C AT I O N S A N D O W N E R S H I P

NEW OWNERSHIP

NEW LOCATION

The Janel Morgan Team – Morgan & Co, real estate, 621 N Benton Drive, Ste. 101, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Morgan Weisen, (Kenai, the dog), Cristy Lahr, Janel Morgan, Alex Reiter, Kris Nelson.

Criterion Counseling, therapy and counseling services, 600 25th Ave. S, Ste. 203, St. Cloud. Pictured: Kristin Hannon, Nate Van Heuveln, Brenda Eisenschenk.

Sunburst Memorials, memorial pieces, 7808 County Road 75, St. Cloud. Pictured: Rachel Layton, Matt Gaffy, Jill Kampa, Debbie Clausen, Paul Radeke.

TO OL S YOU CO U L D B E USI N G TODAY: Business Checking Accounts: Easy access, multiple options, and low to no monthly fees

TO P H ATS : CO R E M E M B E R

C H A M B E R CO R E (Champions of Regional Excellence) businesses make a significant financial investment and commitment to the region's business growth. For more information visit BusinessCentralMagazine.com. CHAMBER CORE MEMBER

Batteries Plus, retail and wholesale supplier of batteries, lightbulbs and more, 2710 2nd Street S, St. Cloud and 27 N Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. Pictured: Kristin Hannon, Bernie Perryman, Paula Capes.

Digital Essentials: eStatements, ACH, wires, and eAlerts Advanced Digital Tools: Fraud protection, remote deposit, and card payment solutions Elite & Ultimate Packages: Tailored bundles that simplify operations and save money

magnifi.creditunion

Insured by NCUA

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 // BusinessCentralMagazine.com

NETWORKCENTRAL GROW | NETWORK | PROFIT

E V E N T S A R O U N D T H E ST. C LO U D A R E A

M O R E O N E V E N T S : Fo r i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e s e o r o t h e r b u s i n e s s e v e n t s , c a l l 3 2 0 -2 51 -2 9 4 0 o r v i s i t S t C l o u d A r e a C h a m b e r. c o m a n d c l i c k o n “ C a l e n d a r.”

Grow! The St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce offers a wide variety of professional development opportunities for the workforce in Central Minn.

St. Cloud Area Leadership Program This nine-month program brings together current and emerging leaders to explore community issues, build meaningful connections, and develop the skills and knowledge to make a lasting impact on the St. Cloud area.

Leadership commencement in May is a day to celebrate and connect. Pictured: Brittney Goebel (L), North Creative Co.; Grayson Zimney, SCIPI; Julie Lunning. St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

Above: Leadership classmates get to know each other personally and professionally while growing their skills and knowledge of greater St. Cloud. Left: The annual Leadership Program retreat is a highly anticipated event.

Supervisor Development Certificate Program This program equips new and emerging supervisors with practical skills in leadership, communication, conflict management, employee performance, hiring and employment law to help them become more effective leaders. Participants receive training on a variety of leadership topics and graduate with a certificate of completion. Pictured: Teresa Voight, Milestones.

The Supervisor Development Certificate Program consists of six sessions held over three months.

BusinessCentral Magazine.com // S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6

The 2025-2026 St. Cloud Area Leadership class meets each month, September through May, with a different theme each month.

Lunchtime Learning Held September through June on the first Wednesday of each month, Lunchtime Learning offers affordable, convenient professional development on a variety of timely business topics, all over the lunch hour.

Tim McLean, Tina Norlund and Heather Sabin, St. Cloud Area Family YMCA Tara Gronhovd presents about the Art of Feedback.

Bonnie Wenker, Black Diamond Auctions (L) and Lisa Vouk, InteleCONNECT Powered by CTC

Jessica Johnson, Evermore Co. (L) moderates a panel of Tammy Stark, Career Solutions; Lacey Solheid, Great River Children’s Museum; and Rachel Theise, St. Cloud ROX about hiring interns.

NEXT – Chamber’s Young Professionals NEXT brings young professionals together each month over the lunch hour to build connections, grow their careers, and engage with the community through networking, professional development, and access to local business and civic leaders.

Business tours, like this one at Bernick’s, are a great way to learn more about the community with NEXT.

NEXT members did a scavenger hunt in downtown St. Cloud. Pictured: Macki Deters, Moxie Creative (L); Sarah Anderson, Ancona Title; Lisa Stoffel, Nuts and Bolts Marketing; Dan Eickhoff, North Risk Partners; Andrew Klinefelter, Creative Planning

NEXT members celebrate the holidays at a monthly meeting. Back row: Emily Bertram, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce; Maren Hoban, State Farm Insurance - Kyle Hedtke; Alicia Gunderson, Gate City Bank. Front row: Nolan Lind, Jacobs Financial and Casey Austin, Foley Mansion

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 // BusinessCentralMagazine.com

BUSINESSTOOLS GROW

| NETWORK

PROFIT

R ES O U RC ES T H AT H E L P YO U R B US I N ESS G RO W

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Working Well / Management Toolkit / Entrepreneurism / Economy Central by Falcon Bank WORKING WELL

The Courage to Care A recovery-friendly workplace creates a culture of belonging where employees seeking support feel safe, stay engaged, and contribute to a healthier workplace. By Katie Blue

Create a culture of belonging.

Know your responsibilities.

Recovery is about more than overcoming substance use. It’s about rebuilding a life through purpose, connection, and opportunity. Employers have an incredible opportunity to help create that environment. A recovery-friendly workplace isn’t about lowering expectations or making excuses. It’s about creating a culture where employees feel safe asking for help, where leaders know how to respond with compassion, and where people are treated with dignity, while remaining accountable.

Being recovery-friendly also means understanding your responsibilities as an employer. Respect employee privacy. Understand legal protections such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Know the resources available in your community. Employees are far more likely to seek help when they know they will be treated fairly, respectfully, and without judgment.

Show that you care.

hen I retired from the Army after 20 years of service, I thought I understood what it meant to belong. In the military, your unit becomes your family. You rely on one another, solve problems together, and know someone always has your back. When I left the service, I discovered that kind of community isn’t guaranteed.

Like many veterans, I struggled to find my place. It wasn't until I moved to St. Cloud that I experienced what true community looked like. People welcomed me, believed in me, and gave me opportunities to serve again. That experience taught me something that applies just as much to the workplace as it does to recovery from substance abuse: people thrive when they know they belong.

Contributor ________ Katie Blue is the executive director of the Recovery Community Network.

BusinessCentral Magazine.com // S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6

The reality is that substance use disorder touches every industry. Many people in recovery are already employed, making the workplace one of the most important settings in which to recognize when someone may need support. A dependable employee begins arriving late. Performance slips. Someone who was once engaged becomes withdrawn. These changes don’t tell you what’s wrong, but they do tell you it’s time to check in. You don’t need to diagnose the problem. You simply need to care enough to start the conversation.

Rethink team activities.

Recovery-friendly workplaces are built through everyday decisions, not just written policies. Something as simple as offering a team outing that doesn't revolve around alcohol gives every employee the opportunity to participate comfortably. Whether someone is in recovery, doesn't drink for personal reasons, or simply prefers another activity, thoughtful choices like these strengthen teams and send a simple message: you’re a valued part of this organization. Understand the benefits.

Supporting recovery isn’t just good for employees. It’s good for business. Recovery-friendly workplaces help improve

retention, reduce absenteeism, strengthen workplace culture, and demonstrate that your organization values its people. Minnesota’s Employer Toolkit (a collection of official resources designed by state agencies to help business owners comply with employment laws) provides practical guidance for recognizing concerns early, reducing stigma, and connecting employees with support. For more information or additional resources on becoming a recovery-friendly workplace, visit BusinessCentralMagazine.com. Central Minnesotans show up for each other. Our workplaces can reflect those same values. When employees know they matter, they are more likely to stay engaged, ask for help before a crisis, and reach their full potential. That’s good for people, good for business, and good for our community.

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Safety First

f you are a Google user, your account likely stores a lot of personal information. Now, Google provides a free tool that helps users review and strengthen the security of their accounts in just a few minutes. It allows people to check connected devices, review third-party app permissions, update passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor for suspicious activity. Taking these simple steps can greatly reduce the risk of hacking, phishing scams, and identity theft. Want to try it? Simply Google “Security Checkup” to get started.

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MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT

What's it Worth? As a business owner, your company may seem priceless. But if you really want to know its worth, it may be time for a formal valuation. By Jonathan Kreilein

hat is my business worth?” is a question almost all business owners have on their minds. The answer to this question often comes from a business valuation.

your business given by a qualified business valuation professional. The question of your business’s value is likely on your mind because it’s important for your long-term financial plans.

What is a business valuation, and why does it matter?

When should I get a business valuation?

A business valuation is an opinion on the value of

Rather than waiting until you’re ready to sell your business, you might consider

getting a business valuation several years before you’re ready to sell in order to help you improve your business and put it in the best position to sell later. Sometimes a valuation is necessary to appease the IRS, such as when shares of the company are gifted or when an owner passes away. Often a valuation is necessary for a legal proceeding, such as when an owner gets a divorce or feels they’re being treated unfairly by other owners. Other times a valuation serves as an independent opinion when one owner wants to leave the business and receive their share of the business’s value. It can also serve as support in case the IRS decides to audit the transaction, especially if the owners are family members.

affect its value. Key financial metrics and ratios, as compared to your industry, can help you determine the best ways to improve net cash flows. The risk/return rate is determined based on a wide variety of factors, including the stability of revenue and net profit; quality/stability of employees and customers; general and industry economic environment; competitive advantages; transferability of earnings, etc. The issue of earnings transferability is particularly important because businesses that make money from the skill or reputation of a particular owner may not have a significant amount of transferable value if that owner plans to leave or retire.

How does a valuator determine value?

Who should I work with?

A business valuator will likely examine your company’s recent financial statements and conduct research on your business and market conditions. A valuator will look at two main components: your company’s net cash flows (for example, net profit) and an appropriate risk/return rate to apply to those cash flows. What drives value up or down?

A change in either the net cash flows or the risk/return rate of your business can significantly

The IRS has rules that determine who is a “qualified appraiser” for their purposes, which includes education and experience requirements. In addition, there are several valuation designations to look for, including Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) and Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA). Also, working with a business valuer who has experience in valuing businesses in your industry is a plus, because they’ll likely be more familiar with industry trends.

Contributor ________ Jonathan Kreilein is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA). Jonathan works as a senior valuation specialist at Creative Planning, valuing privately held businesses across the United States.

BusinessCentral Magazine.com // S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6

TECH NEWS

Wanted: Human Influence

esearchers at Princeton University and the University of Chicago found that AI models such as Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini, can develop their own biases from experience, sometimes stereotyping job candidates more strongly than humans. In simulated hiring, models quickly generalized from limited outcomes and began steering certain groups toward specific jobs. More advanced reasoning models showed some of the strongest biases. Simply telling AI to be fair had little effect, while rewarding diversity and providing relevant personal information reduced bias. The findings raise concerns as AI plays a growing role in hiring and other high-stakes decisions.

You’rrrrre out!

outh Korea’s professional baseball league introduced an Automated Ball-Strike system in 2024 to make calls more accurate and reduce umpire bias. Researchers found that star hitters walked less, struck out more and reached base less often after the system was introduced, suggesting human umpires may previously have given prominent players more favorable calls. The findings show how automation can help reduce “status bias,” where high-profile individuals receive preferential treatment. Researchers from the University of Michigan say similar lessons could apply beyond sports, including workplaces and education. Human judgment, however, is still considered valuable for decisions that are more subjective.

Your Success is our Mission

We are dedicated to helping you achieve your business goals. Contact us today for a free digital assessment

Contact info Marilyn Birkland, Director of Sales mbirkland@localiq.com | 320-248-4332 CT-SPAD0430114140

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ENTREPRENEURISM

Valuable Assets Understanding and protecting your intellectual property can save time, money and legal headaches. By Brodie Miller

hen business owners think of intellectual property, they often envision large public companies, national brands or franchisors. However, all business owners should be familiar with intellectual property basics, and how they may affect operations, branding and risk exposure. Overlooking intellectual property could result in lost opportunities to protect or leverage valuable assets, or create legal liabilities that could have been avoided.

Asset Assignment

There are generally four types of intellectual property. Each type has a different function and protects different types of information. Trademarks Copyrights Patents Trade secrets A trademark is any word, name, logo, symbol or similar identifier used to identify and distinguish a person’s goods. A service mark accomplishes the same function for services.

Contributor ________

A common misconception is that a business must register a mark to have rights to it. In the United States, rights to a mark arise through use in commerce. Registration, however, expands and significantly strengthens those rights. A copyright protects an original work of authorship fixed in a tangible medium. This includes music, written materials, photographs, videos, artwork, designs and other creative works. Copyright protects the expression embodied in the work, not the underlying idea. Another common misconception is that registration

Brodie Miller serves as the current president and managing partner at Rinke Noonan. He practices in the areas of business law, construction law, real estate law, and intellectual property.

BusinessCentral Magazine.com // S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6

is required for copyright protection. In general, a creator obtains copyright protection when the original work is created and fixed in a tangible medium. Registration expands those rights and provides additional tools for protection. Patents protect new and useful inventions or improvements, such as processes, machines, or certain eligible technological improvements. Patent rights require issuance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Trade secrets are information that has independent economic value because they are not generally known or readily ascertainable by proper means and are subject to reasonable efforts to maintain secrecy. Examples include formulas, recipes, patterns, methods, techniques and processes. Trade secrets are protected by taking action to keep them secret, including confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, secure facilities and limited disclosure. Asset Protection

With a basic understanding of intellectual property, businesses will be better equipped to identify valuable assets, protect them, align those assets with success for the future, and avoid common mistakes. For instance, because trademarks and service marks helps consumers identify who provides a product or service, choosing a generic or merely descriptive name for a product or service reduces the likelihood that the name can be protected as a

trademark. When selecting a name, businesses should consider unique or creative names. Businesses should also know the source of their advertising and marketing content and the authorization to use such content. If content is freely available online or lacks a copyright notice, this does not necessarily mean it is free to use. Using any photos, graphics or other materials without consent can create costly copyright infringement risks. Similarly, because trademark rights are created by being the first to use the mark in commerce, choosing a name without conducting a comprehensive search risks liability for trademark infringement, receipt

of a cease-and-desist letter, and an expensive rebrand. Even paying for a logo, photograph or other material does not always mean you own the copyright to such material, unless there is an agreement specifically transferring those rights. Intellectual property protection should not be an afterthought. A business’s name, brand, creative content, inventions, processes, and confidential information may all be valuable assets. Periodically identifying those assets, confirming ownership, and taking reasonable steps to protect them can preserve value, avoid disputes, and better position a business for future success.

TECH NEWS

No Slop Allowed

inkedIn is cracking down on low-quality, AI-generated “slop” posts that flood users’ feeds with generic thought leadership, engagement bait, and repetitive content. The platform plans to use detection systems and editorial oversight to reduce the visibility of posts that appear overly automated or lack an authentic perspective, while still allowing AI-assisted writing that includes original insights. LinkedIn says the goal is to make the platform feel more useful and human-centered as frustration grows over the rise of spammy AI content online. Source: Fast Company

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Economy Central presented by

ECONOMY CENTRAL

Quality over Quantity Artificial intelligence is changing both the quantity and quality of new book releases. By Hannah Fairman and Lynn MacDonald

rtificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping industries — transforming productivity, business models, and the nature of work. As adoption accelerates, questions remain about who benefits, who might be displaced, and how labor markets will adapt. Economists are studying these issues as they play out in real-time. Publishing is one industry where AI’s effects are especially visible. As

AI reduces the time and cost required for authors to produce written content, new research is showing how its use is affecting both the quantity and quality of new book releases. AI uses large language models (LLMs) to scan, synthesize, and assess information from vast amounts of data. With recent advancements, AI is now able to create large amounts of written text, making the

Contributors ________ Hannah Fairman is associate director at Heller-Hurwicz Economics Institute at the University of Minnesota. Lynn MacDonald, Ph.D., is director of the SCSU Center for Economic Education and a professor of economics.

BusinessCentral Magazine.com // S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6

production of books less expensive while reducing entry costs. In fact, there are AI tools that assist first-time authors in creating a ready-to-go, formatted book in under 30 minutes. When entry costs fall, more producers tend to enter the market. The rise of AI provides a real-time opportunity to see whether greater market participation produces valuable new products or simply floods the market with low-quality offerings. Economists Imke Reimers and Joel Waldfogel (University of Minnesota) are researching this exact phenomenon. Their findings show AI changed both the quantity and quality of books entering the market. While an influx of lowercaliber AI books lowered overall quality, human-authored books held steady. They also found that less-skilled and less-experienced authors were more likely to adopt AI, helping explain the performance gap between AI-assisted and human-authored books. Using data from Amazon, the authors found that new e-book releases roughly tripled between 2022 and late 2025. Some categories showed increases approaching ten-fold. Particularly large growth occurred in categories such as travel, sports and outdoors, self-help, and computers and technology. The increase in titles coincided with the rapid spread of LLMs following ChatGPT's release in late 2022. The researchers examined 50,000 randomly selected books for evidence of AI-generated content. They found virtually no

detected AI use through 2022. Detected AI use rose to roughly 30 percent in 2023, 45 percent in 2024, and more than 60 percent in 2025. Another important finding is that books with detected AI content performed worse both in ratings and in sales. Most AI books received very little usage, although some achieved moderate success. At the same time, the researchers found that “the number and quality of human-authored books have remained stable,” and AI did not appear to reduce output from existing authors. Even though existing authors do not appear to have been displaced, many remain concerned about the long-term effects of AI on publishing. Some worry about declining quality while others fear publishers may replace the humans in the book industry with AI tools. Some well-known authors have encouraged publishers not to use or publish AI-generated content. Amazon currently requires authors to disclose AI-generated — but not AI-assisted — content, although that information is not disclosed to consumers. While AI appears to generate a great deal of mediocre content, more total publications could create value for consumers. Reimers and Waldfogel estimate that consumer surplus — the economic value consumers receive from having more choices — increased by roughly 7 percent in 2025, highlighting one potential benefit of more books being published with the assistance of AI.

October

6 COMMUNITIES — ST. CLOUD, SAUK RAPIDS, SARTELL, WAITE PARK, ST. AUGUSTA, ST. JOSEPH

ECO N O M I C I N D I C ATO R S & T R E N D S

Economy Central presented by September

December

November

Home Sales Closed in St. Cloud Area

6 COMMUNITIES - ST. CLOUD, SAUK RAPIDS, SARTELL, WAITE PARK, ST. AUGUSTA, ST. JOSEPH

29 $2,313,150

November

600

126 $6,973,154

2024

February

300

600

Food and Beverage ST. CLOUD - NET RECEIPTS

B U I L D I N G P E R M I T S BY C O M M U N I T Y - C O M M E R C I A L September 2024

2025 #/$

St. Cloud

August 615

371 2026 $168,746,922

102 $132,778,198

Sartell

July 465 December

504 $28,783,792

131 $697,491

#/$

TOTAL: $198,603,167

$96,038,255 $43,155,871

June

TOTAL: $302,572,803

Sauk Rapids November 39 $9,508,967

16 Food and Beverage $6,890,005

$61,780,414

204 $67,940,517

$8,516,053

10 $134,391

7 2024 $164,454

$2000000

$250M $300M $350M TOTAL: $302,572,803

Jan June

67 $20,787,565

TOTAL: 182*

Mar August

TOTAL: 1868

St. Joseph

Apr September

TOTAL: 1823

St. Augusta

2026 #/$

39 2025 $22,741,678

May Waite Park October178

Feb July

ST. CLOUD - NET RECEIPTS 59 2 $840,000

2026

62 $14,195,440

$0$48,881,420 $500k

2025

May and St. Joseph Sources: Building departments for the following cities: St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids, Sartell, Waite Park, St. Augusta, Apr

Unemployment Rates 2024

0$3,217,600 300

2025

October

TOTAL: $231,405,464 TOTAL: $198,603,167

$200M

October

50 $4,878,427

2000

$150M

September

80 $6,064,699

1500

TOTAL: $1,287,691

TOTAL: $1,604,677

$1500000

$100M

August

197 $12,993,405

1000

Data not released at time of print

$1000000

2025

$50M

23 $1,784,062

205

500

$500000

$0M

40 $1,058,345

April $1,868,911

January

6 COMMUNITIES — ST. CLOUD, SAUK RAPIDS, SARTELL, WAITE PARK, ST. AUGUSTA, ST. JOSEPH

2026

114 $6,397,294

December

6 COMMUNITIES — ST. CLOUD, SAUK RAPIDS, SARTELL, WAITE PARK, ST. AUGUSTA, ST. JOSEPH

2024

212 $10,800,019

March $39,723,287

$120M

Commercial Building Permits

2025

262 May $11,443,421

St. Augusta

Commercial Building Permits

2026

251 $12,669,656

2021

$100M

320

St. Joseph

$80M

July

TOTAL: $106,922,594

January$16,142,200 June

2020

$60M

June

Sauk Rapids

465 $16,462,804

2026

2019

$40M

May

Sartell

2026 #/$

1392 2024 $38,596,441

1279

$31,680,076 February July

$20M

April

St. Cloud

$100M $120M TOTAL: $80,996,292

Food and Beverage Tax Collection

ST. CLOUD

$0 $0M

Home Sales Closed ST. CLOUD

2025 #/$

August

Waite Park

2024

March

$80M

2025

2024 March #/$

2021

2020

2019

2025

$60M

May October

September

2026 $40M

June November

BUILDING P E R M I T S BY C O M M U N I T Y - R E S I D E N T I A L April

TOTAL: $37,148,064

$20M

February

January

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Jan

TOTAL: $80,996,292

6 COMMUNITIES — ST. CLOUD, SAUK RAPIDS, SARTELL, WAITE PARK, ST. AUGUSTA, ST. JOSEPH TOTAL: $106,922,594

$0M

ST. CLOUD

July 2026 Jan Feb December Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2026 Totals represent data reported as of 8/1/2026

2024

Home Sales Closed

COLOR KEY:August

TOTAL: $37,148,064

Compiled by Shelly Imdieke, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

Residential Building Permits

E PARK,

November

16,523*

$200M

Residential Building Permits

2025

621,465

885,721

$80M

E PARK,

1,424*

32,948

24,272

December

2025-2026

2025-2026 -% CHANGE

Source: positivelyminnesota.com

December

November

1.0%

October

September

August

July

Jan

June

1.5%

May

$350M

April

$300M

March

December

$250M November

October

September

$200M

August

$150M

July

June

May

$100M

April

March

February

January

$50M

January

2.0%

$0M

Source: positivelyminnesota.com $0 $500k

Feb

February

2024

Non-Farm Mar Jobs

TOTAL: $231,405,464

0.5% 0.0% -0.5%

-1.0% -1.5% 3%

*No data was reported for October 2025 due to the government shutdown.

St. Cloud Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota United States

-2.0%

St. Cloud, MN (MSA) Minnesota United States

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 // BusinessCentralMagazine.com

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600

E PARK,

300

16,523*

621,465

January

885,721

$200M

$80M

$120M

E PARK,

$100M

1,424*

$80M

32,948

24,272

$60M

900

1200

1500

BUSINESSTOOLS December

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

E C O N O M I C I N D I C A T O R S & T R E N DDecember S

July

Cost of Living

$1.5M

$2M TOTAL: 37

TOTAL: 59

June

TOTAL: 182*

$2M

December

August

2026

$2M

COST OF May LIVING INDEX AVERAGES FOR FIRST QUARTER 2026 FOR MINNESOTA AND OTHER UPPER MIDWEST CITIES. April

CITY March

All Items

St. Cloud MN

Grocery Housing Utilities Transpor- Health Misc. Goods Items tation Care & Services

93.1

94.7

76.6

100.0

90.1

108.6

Minneapolis, MN 93.2

100.1

81.3

94.3

114.1

97.1

January St. Paul, MN

93.2

100.1

79.9

92.9

94.5

115.7

98.2

Mankato, MN

94.1

100.3

80.3

94.3

95.3

107.8

101.2

Appleton, WI

95.6

99.9

97.2

93.0

85.8

104.2

94.4

Rapid City, SD

97.2

97.8

93.3

88.7

99.3

103.7

101.2

February

103.7

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

February

January

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

February

January

The "all items" index for St. Cloud was 93.1, just below the national average (100.0) for year-end review of 2026. Among the 250 urban areas that participated in the 2026 Cost of Living Index, the after-tax cost for professional/managerial standard of living ranged from more than twice the national average in New York (Manhattan), NY to more than 20 percent below the national average in Tupelo, MS.

TOTAL: 57

ACCRA COST OF LIVING INDEX

2024

Least Expensive Cities to live in the United States

Most Expensive Cities to live in the United States 0

SHERIFFS' FORECLOSURE AUCTIONS

September

TOTAL: $1,569,840

Sheriffs’ Foreclosure Auctions

2025

October

TOTAL: $759,870

TOTAL: $1,788,876

STEARNS AND BENTON COUNTIES $500k $1M

December November

$1.5M

November

TOTAL: $716,105

TOTAL: $1,869,776

$1.5M

BY THE NUMBERS

2000

$2000000

2024

$1M

Source: Tax Collections — City of St. Cloud

Jan

Source: Tax Collections — City of St. Cloud

$500k

TOTAL: 1868

$1M

January

TOTAL: 1823

$500k

1500

2025$0

TOTAL: $1,287,691

$1500000

TOTAL: $1,604,677

2026

2024

February

Home Sales Closed in St. Cloud Area

2025

October

1500

TOTAL: $1,788,876

6 COMMUNITIES - ST. CLOUD, SAUK RAPIDS, SARTELL, WAITE PARK, ST. AUGUSTA, ST. JOSEPH

Feb 1200

Food and Beverage Tax Collection TOTAL: $1,679,119 ST. CLOUD - NET RECEIPTS

September

2024

Mar

1000

Data not released at time of print

$1000000

2026

August

March

2021

ST. CLOUD

July

April

TOTAL: 1341

500

$500000

Lodging Tax Dollars

June

2025

2020

Source: St. Cloud Area Association $200M $250M $300M $350Mof Realtors, http://stcloudrealtors.com/pages/statistics

TOTAL: $1,869,776

May

2019

900

May

June

600

Food and Beverage Tax Collection

$150M

300

July

2026

Apr

ST. CLOUD

TOTAL: $759,870

August

TOTAL: 1337

May

TOTAL: $231,405,464

April

September ST. CLOUD - NET RECEIPTS

June

2021

2020

2019

2024

March

October

August

TOTAL: $302,572,803

February

Food and Beverage Tax Collection

July

2025

October

November

SeptemberTOTAL: 650

TOTAL: $198,603,167

2026

January

UD, SAUK RAPIDS, SARTELL, WAITE PARK,

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Jan

Home Sales Closed ing Permits ST. CLOUD

November

Residential

2024

2025

2026

Stearns Co.

Benton Co.

BusinessCentral Magazine.com // S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6

New York (Manhattan), NY

227.6

Tupelo, MS

79.3

Honolulu, HI

184.8

Harlingen, TX

80.0

San Jose, CA

180.4

Richmond, IN

80.7

New York (Brooklyn), NY

166.8

Decatur, IL

81.0

165.6

Oklahoma City, OK

81.0

San Francisco, CA

A city with an index score of 100 has a cost of living equal to the national average. The ACCRA Cost of Living Index is compiled and published quarterly by C2ER - The Council for Community and Economic Research.

COVER STORY

2026 Entrepreneurial Success Award Winners

In Good

that “allWegoodbelieve creative work happens on a team.

COMPANY

”

— Guy Magno

Guy Magno, Ryan Schoepf and Taylor Feero have built an entrepreneurial partnership rooted in creativity, collaboration and community. BY EMILY BERTRAM • PHOTOS BY SWITCHBOARD

s the old adage goes, you should never start a business with your best friends. Except, according to Guy Magno, if your best friends are Ryan Schoepf and Taylor Feero. Together, they own and operate several St. Cloud area businesses, including creative marketing agency Switchboard, coffee shop Kinder Coffee, coffee roastery Kinder Coffee Lab, and coworking spaces Cooper Collective and The Apiary, as well as several that have since ceased operations.

The three friends have not been thwarted by the expected hurdles of working with each other. As Schoepf said, “We’ve had no shortage of opportunities to be at odds.” Instead, they continue to innovate, empower and reinvest in Central Minnesota, and they do it together.

Coming Into Focus

The son of a pastor, Guytano “Guy” Magno grew up in Central Minnesota. After graduation, he set his sights on becoming a choral conductor, moving to the metro area to

All about the Business(es) SWITCHBOARD

203 Cooper Ave. N, #350, St. Cloud, MN (612) 964-9886 switchboard.mn

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Switchboard is a full-service creative agency that helps organizations grow through strategic branding, video production, photography, web design, and story-driven marketing. • Employees: 11 guy@switchboard.mn

Owners: Guy Magno, Creative Director • Ryan Schoepf, Artistic Director • Taylor Feero, Operations Director

KINDER COFFEE LAB 403 9th Ave. N, St. Cloud, MN (612) 283-9165 kindercoffee.co

Kinder Coffee Lab (formerly Fable Roasters) is a specialty coffee roaster based in Central Minnesota that sources and roasts coffees in small batches, supplying cafés, businesses, and coffee lovers. • Employees: 1

COOPER COLLECTIVE

203 Cooper Ave. N, #350, St. Cloud, MN (612) 812-9322 cooperco.io

Cooper Collective is a collaborative coworking community that provides flexible workspace, meeting rooms, business resources, and networking opportunities designed to help entrepreneurs, freelancers, and growing businesses connect and succeed. • Employees: 1 hello@cooperco.io

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 // BusinessCentralMagazine.com

GUY'S ADVICE TO OTHERS

Launch EOS (or another business management framework program) right away.

Guytano (Guy) Magno, 41 Hometown Sartell, Minn.

Education University of Northwestern St. Paul Family Wife Cassie, children James and Lucy Hobbies Mountain biking, grilling on my patio with friends

attend University of Northwestern -St. Paul. He soon discovered a passion for photography. “I had some roommates who let me take their pictures all the time,” Magno said. “I didn’t realize that I was doing anything beyond having fun, but I was learning a skill and a craft.” When one of those roommates asked Magno to photograph his wedding, it led to a decade in wedding photography as Guytano Magno Photography. In 2010, Magno married his wife Cassie and in 2011 he moved back to the St. Cloud area and continued to shoot weddings, primarily in the metro area, until someone encouraged him to consider shooting commercial photography. “It wasn’t really interesting to me because I was focused on being the best wedding photographer, and I didn’t understand how those two things would go together,” Magno said. However, after his children were born, the idea

of not working weekends became more attractive. “I fell in love with it,” Magno said. “So much of what I loved about weddings was hanging out with people and celebrating, and that is true for commercial photos, too.” As his commercial business grew, Magno realized how valuable it would be to have his own “cyc” wall. Short for cyclorama, or infinity wall, a cyc wall is a seamless, curved studio backdrop that eliminates the hard lines where the floor meets the wall, allowing the camera to see a continuous, smooth surface, creating the visual illusion of infinite space. “The cyc wall is a really valuable tool, but we couldn’t afford it,” Magno said. So Magno hatched a plan and pitched his wife on the idea of building a coworking space with a cyc wall inside it and charging rental fees for the various office spaces. He argued his plan could be profitable from office rentals and it would advance business capabilities. In 2012, the first phase of Cooper Collective opened, with an expansion in 2018. The space is currently home to 10 offices and four designated spaces that stay near 90 percent occupancy at all times — and includes one of the region’s largest cyc walls. In 2015, Magno was hired to shoot for a commercial client and realized she (the client) didn’t really have a plan for what to do with the photos. He recommended she find an agency that could help her with branding, website development and other marketing tools, and then to come back to him when she was ready for photos. “And she said, ‘Well, can’t you do that?’ and it got me thinking,” Magno said. Perhaps there were other businesses that were falling through the cracks when it came to their marketing needs. So, Magno called his high school friend, Ryan Schoepf.

All about the Business(es) APIARY COWORKING

703 W St. Germain St., St. Cloud, MN (320) 298-5751 apiarycoworking.com

Apiary Coworking provides modern, flexible office space designed to foster productivity, collaboration, and connection among businesses and professionals in a shared work environment.

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KINDER COFFEE

214 2nd Ave. N, Sauk Rapids, MN (320) 443-1046 kindercoffee.co

Kinder Coffee is a locally owned specialty coffee shop in Sauk Rapids that serves thoughtfully crafted coffee, espresso drinks, and other beverages. • Employees: 15 hello@kindercoffeelab.com

TAYLOR'S ADVICE TO OTHERS

Hire a coach right away.

Schoepf, also the son of a pastor, grew up with an “unlimited supply of church bulletin paper,” that he would doodle on all the time. He was never allowed to have a Nintendo, so he instead drew games as his creative outlet. “In high school, I had some really great teachers who pushed me to get into design and pursue it,” Schoepf said. He attended St. Cloud State University for a degree in graphic design, moving to the Twin Cities metro area in 2008. “I got my first big-boy job designing emails for Pillsbury,” Schoepf said. He went on to do work for Fleet Farm, Red Wing Shoes, General Mills and Nickelodeon. After about eight years working for marketing agencies in the cities, he got a call from his childhood best friend. Magno didn’t initially call Schoepf to see if he’d be interested in helping launch an agency — the first call was to see if Schoepf knew of any designers looking for a job. Magno never dreamed that Schoepf would want to move back to St. Cloud. “We got off the phone and 10 minutes later I got a text that changed my world,” Magno said. “He said, ‘What about me?’ ” Schoepf moved back to St. Cloud in 2015, and the marketing agency Switchboard was launched shortly after — but not without some additional help. Growing up in Princeton, Minn., Taylor Feero’s parents were both entrepreneurial, but he never thought of that as a career. “It was more just go to college and figure out what you want to do,” Feero said. After graduating from St. Cloud State University in 2015, he began working for a local nonprofit located near Magno’s photography business. Feero quickly realized that office life wasn’t for him. As he talked with Magno about business ownership, Magno pitched the idea of a hot dog cart business. “Guy told me to go home for the weekend, and if you come back on Monday and you know more about running a hot dog cart than I do, you can intern with me,” Feero said. After going so far as to actually purchase a hot dog cart, Feero became an intern with Guytano Magno Photography. “It was an ember inside of me that got fanned towards running a business,” Feero said. He remained an intern for about nine months before joining Switchboard full time. While Switchboard was growing, Guytano Magno Photography was slowly winding down. “It had gotten to the point where Switchboard had five staff members, and Guy was doing fewer than six weddings a year,” Feero said. As soon as Switchboard could stand on its own, Magno decided he was just fine with not giving up any more of his weekends.

“It was a unique transition,” Magno said. “We lost a revenue stream and had to put somebody on the payroll at the same time.” He knew that if he was able to give all of his time to Switchboard, he could make up the difference.

Connected By Design

Switchboard is a marketing agency specializing in design, strategy, websites, photography and videography. To stand out in Central Minnesota, they look for ways to bring metro-quality work and systems to St. Cloud at non-metro prices by perfecting efficiencies and developing team members. Like their clients, Feero, Magno and Schoepf are also business owners. “We know that every two weeks you have to cut paychecks and you don’t have the luxury of spending $30,000 on a logo — you need work that actually creates revenue,” Feero said. One of the core values at Switchboard is ‘not entitled,’ which to them means jumping in to help and engage with coworkers in a selfless way. “We believe that all good creative work happens on a team,” Magno said. The key has been to empower their employees to make big decisions, which in turn keeps them more invested in Switchboard. “This business started with the three of us and it’s grown to be all of these people who have really taken ownership of their roles and their part of the business.” It is also this yearning for empowerment that led to the creation of an apprenticeship program at Switchboard.

Taylor Feero, 34

Hometown Princeton, Minn. Education St. Cloud State University Family Wife Liz, children Cayden, Addy and Finley Hobbies Hunting and camping

S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 // BusinessCentralMagazine.com

RYAN'S ADVICE TO OTHERS

Good creative is infinitely better with good systems. Started in 2015, the luxury table brand sold to clients across the United States and was built around the idea of bringing people together. “The point was to build something really beautiful and meaningful that they could make memories around,” Magno said. He describes Gather’s aesthetic as clean and simple. Gather also played an important role in establishing Switchboard. Developing Gather’s branding and website, which went on to win local and regional awards, gave the agency an early opportunity to build credibility without an extensive client base. The trio ran Gather for six years before COVID shifted the industry, increasingly turning their attention toward Switchboard. Gather ceased operations in 2021.

Grounds for Growth

Ryan Schoepf, 40 Hometown St. Cloud, Minn. Education St. Cloud State University Family Wife Jenny, children Chloe, Fallon and Levi Hobbies Disc golf, playing music

The program, which varies from one to two years, allows young professionals to come into Switchboard and gain real-world experience in business and the marketing industry. What is involved and how the apprentice will work is entirely based on their skill set and their passions. So far, six people have gone through it with three remaining on staff afterwards. “It started out super organic,” Feero said, as the first person to go through it himself. “And now, we do the interviews and we build a structure around that person.” The goal is to foster entrepreneurship and equip young individuals with tools for their future careers. While Switchboard was in its infancy, so was another venture between the three called Gather.

As operations at Switchboard continued to grow, Magno, Schoepf and Feero found themselves looking for what was next. The conversation landed on their shared love of coffee and its ability to build community. In 2019 they began to talk about opening a coffee shop inside of a coworking space. A few months later, the pandemic hit. They pivoted. Instead of opening a coffee shop inside an office building, they researched and purchased an automated electric roaster that allowed them to become a roastery overnight. Kinder Coffee Lab launched its Founders program in June 2020, sending out subscription boxes of different coffee bean roasts. In October 2021, they broke ground on the original Kinder Coffee Lab location. Attached to the south side of Cooper Collective, it opened on Valentine’s Day 2022.

2026 Entrepreneurial Success Award Winners

Better Together

uy Magno, Ryan Schoepf and Taylor Feero have built an entrepreneurial partnership rooted in creativity, collaboration and community. What began in 2015 with the launch of the creative marketing agency Switchboard, has grown into a collection of businesses spanning marketing, coworking and coffee, employing nearly 30 people across Central Minnesota. Along the way, the trio has invested in downtown St. Cloud, created apprenticeship opportunities for young entrepreneurs, supported nonprofits and community initiatives, and launched Chit Chat, a podcast highlighting local leaders and organizations. In recognition of their innovative approach to business, sustained growth and commitment to strengthening the St. Cloud community, the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce named Magno, Schoepf and Feero recipients of the 2026 Entrepreneurial Success Award.

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We’re not trying to solve any of the “ world’s problems. We are just trying to have nice

Timeline

2008

conversations with people doing their best at their thing to make St. Cloud better.

Ryan Schoepf graduates from St. Cloud State University and moves to the Twin Cities; Guytano “Guy” Magno graduates from University of Northwestern - St. Paul

— Guy Magno

Later that year, Kinder Coffee hosted the first Cloud Coffee Fest to celebrate the coffee community locally and beyond, with vendors doing samplings, selling merchandise and more. “It was a fun way to try to grow coffee in Central Minnesota — if we all do well, we all do well,” Magno said. And the growth continued. In 2025, Kinder Coffee Lab acquired the former Rock Creek Coffeehouse space in Sauk Rapids, opening a second location. In 2026, they closed the Cooper Ave. location, centralizing operations and using the space as an expanded kitchen. As the company’s physical footprint evolved, another area of growth was taking place beyond its cafés. Kinder Coffee Lab products first appeared on the shelves of Lunds & Byerlys in St. Cloud in 2023, marking the brand’s entry into retail. “Coffee shops and coffee roasting businesses have different needs for their marketing,” Magno said. While coffee shops are more about location and community, roasting is more about elevation, the earth and the growers. That distinction led the company to explore separating the two sides of the business, launching Fable Coffee Roasters in January 2026. As the new brand took shape, the company realized there was significant value in the Kinder name and the recognition it had built. The roasting business returned to the Kinder Coffee Lab brand in fall 2026. Today, Kinder coffee is available through wholesale, retail and fundraising campaigns that allow nonprofits, schools and sports teams to sell the coffee and receive a portion of the profits. It’s just one way they give back to the community.

2011

Magno moves back to St. Cloud from the Twin Cities, operating Guytano Magno Photography

2012

First phase of Cooper Collective, with cyc wall, opens

2015

Taylor Feero graduates from St. Cloud State University; Gather table company launches; Schoepf moves to St. Cloud; Magno and Schoepf launch Switchboard and Feero joins the agency as an apprentice

2017

Guytano Magno Photography ceases operations

2018

An addition is made to Cooper Collective

2020

Kinder Coffee, a mailed coffee delivery service, launches

The Story Continues

2021

In the spring of 2024, the partners purchased a building that is home to The Apiary, a coworking space located in downtown St. Cloud. “We

Gather table company ceases operations

2022

”

believe a thriving community starts in a thriving downtown, so we wanted to push in and be a part of that growth in our community,” Magno said. Switchboard was located there for a short time, before relocating to the same building as Kinder Coffee Lab. Being involved in the community has played a major role in their growth, so the trio feels it’s right to continue to give back. Another way they do that is through telling the stories of Central Minnesota on the Chit Chat Podcast. “We’re not trying to solve any of the world’s problems,” Magno said. “We are just trying to have nice conversations with people doing their best at their thing to make St. Cloud better.” The podcast, which has released over 100 episodes since launching in 2024, features interviews between Magno and local business owners, community advocates and area leaders. The hope is that the episodes may one day serve as a time capsule of St. Cloud for future generations to enjoy. Outside of work, all three men have families with young children, enjoy spending time outdoors, and are heavily involved in their church. “When the three of us got together, none of us knew what we were really good at yet,” Magno said. He recognizes that the three of them share very little overlap in their individual skill sets, yet a massive overlap in their experiences, personalities and worldview. “The things that make us friends, we have lots of overlap there.” While it has been a winding road of growth with many lessons along the way, one thing has remained true: these three couldn’t imagine doing it with anyone else. Emily Bertram is director of marketing and communications at the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and editor of Business Central Magazine.

Kinder Coffee opens as a St. Cloud coffee shop

2023

Kinder Coffee beans are offered for sale in Lunds & Byerlys in St. Cloud

2024

Magno, Schoepf, and Feero acquire coworking space Apiary

2025

Kinder Coffee opens a second coffee shop in Sauk Rapids

2026

The St. Cloud Kinder Coffee shop location closes; Magno, Schoepf and Feero receive the Entrepreuneural Success Award from the Chamber

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F E AT U R E

Allinthe

Family Thoughtful succession planning helps protect both the business and the family relationships behind it. By Emily Bertram

usiness ownership is a complicated thing, and for more than a quarter of U.S. businesses, it’s a family affair. Many St. Cloud area companies share that story. A quick look at the St. Cloud Area Chamber's membership shows nearly 10 percent are at least second-generation family-owned businesses. But keeping a business in the family takes planning. The Small Business Administration estimates only 30 percent survive into the second generation, 12 percent into the third, and just three percent into the fourth and beyond. Doug Cook, owner of Headwaters Strategic Succession Consulting, is a certified exit planning advisor. He recommends that businesses begin the succession planning conversation at least five years before a transition. “This gives families the flexibility to develop future leaders, implement gifting and tax strategies, strengthen business value, prepare the next generation, and make thoughtful decisions rather than rushed ones,” he said. When transferring ownership of a business, Cook encourages owners to avoid assumptions. “The conversation should start early by making it clear that it’s okay if a child doesn't want to

be involved in the business,” Cook said. “They shouldn’t feel obligated to join simply because it’s the family business.”

Switching Hands Trobec’s Bus Service has been part of Becca Atkinson’s and Bethany Bertram’s life for as long as they can remember. The sisters took over ownership of Trobec’s Bus Service from their father in 2025. “Over time, our responsibilities grew, and so did our connection to the company, our employees, and the communities we serve,” Bertram said. “Eventually, we realized that we did not simply want to work in the family business, we wanted to help shape its future.” Jim Ferkinhoff started East Side Glass in 1953, and his son Dave took over about 25 years later. In 2018, Dave sold the business to his children Luke Ferkinhoff, Andy Ferkinhoff and Laura Hutt. At first, Dave was nervous about handing over all of the responsibilities to the third generation. After retiring, Dave initially continued coming into the office and getting involved in projects. After about six months, the siblings encouraged him to fully step away so they could lead. “Once he did that, he never

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looked back,” Luke Ferkinhoff said. This stutter-step in transition is not abnormal, according to Headwaters’ Cook. “One of the hardest conversations is determining when the current generation truly needs to step aside,” he said. “Many successors are capable and eager to lead but become frustrated when they're given responsibility without the authority to make meaningful decisions.” It can also be hard for founders to let go, because the business has been such a significant part of their identity, which is why Cook stresses the importance of a realistic timeline and the discipline to follow through with it. “A successful transition requires more than transferring ownership,” he said. “It also requires intentionally transferring authority, accountability, and trust.”

Adjusting Leaders During an ownership transition, the previous generation is learning to step back while the next generation is learning to fully step forward. “The next generation should be given meaningful responsibility well before ownership changes,” Trobec’s Bertram said. “They need opportunities to make decisions, learn from mistakes, build

“It can be difficult to separate the emotions from the business decisions, especially when everyone involved cares so much about the company and its future.” —BETHANY BERTRAM, TROBEC'S BUS SERVICE

relationships with employees and customers, and establish credibility on their own.” At the same time, the current generation must share knowledge and gradually release control. Ownership transition is not only a business transaction, but also a deeply personal family experience. It requires navigating finances, legal agreements, leadership discussions, family relationships, and decades of history. “It can be difficult to separate the emotions from the business decisions, especially when everyone involved cares so much about the company and its future,” Bertram said. There is also the aspect of managing ownership with a sibling, something that many family-owned businesses face. According to Luke Ferkinhoff, it’s important to have clear roles within the company when navigating this

tranisition. “The three of us are fully involved owners who work day-to-day in the business,” he said. “We all have our separate defined roles, and we made sure to transition everything in a way that we hoped would set us up for success.” Bertram agrees. “We had to learn how to lead together, define our individual roles, respect the strengths each of us brings, and keep our relationship strong, while making significant decisions for the company,” she said. “One of the biggest mistakes is assuming the next generation either needs to be a replica of the current owner or can effectively fulfill all of the same responsibilities,” Cook said. “The key is surrounding the next generation with the right management team, processes, and support to complement their strengths.”

Recognizing Change As the next generation takes the lead, it can be a confusing time for the rest of the staff. “I think the hardest part was that all of a sudden we were in charge of people who had been working here since we were kids,” Luke Ferkinhoff said. “That caused some stress for us.” According to Family Enterprise USA, over 70 percent of employees in family-owned businesses stay when leadership changes generations. Communication is critical, according to Bertram. “When people don't have information, they fill in the blanks themselves.” It’s also vital to build trust through actions over announcements. “Employees need to see that the values of the company remain intact, that decisions are being made thoughtfully, and that their work and experience continue to matter,”

R E M A R K A B LY LO C A L . I N C R E D I B LY P R O U D .

In 1921, Chester A. Coborn opened a one-room produce store in Sauk Rapids. He prided himself on owning a local business and focused on providing his neighbors with the high-quality goods they needed. That legacy is still strong today and we’ve stayed true to our roots through our 105-year history in the grocery business. Today, Coborn’s is your full-service employee-owned supermarket located across Central Minnesota. We strive to serve families and neighbors through career opportunities, offering local products and supporting our communities through a long and strong tradition that started over a century ago.

E MI LY C O BO RN WR I GHT PRESIDENT

CHR I S COB OR N

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

P E T E R CO B OR N

DIRECTOR OF PRIVATE BRANDS

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F E AT U R E

“The majority of third-generation owners don’t make it, and we constantly reminded ourselves of that so that nothing was taken for granted.” —LUKE FERKINHOFF, EAST SIDE GLASS

Bertram said. She believes this approach helped employees recognize that the new leadership respected the history of Trobec’s, while also having a clear vision for its future. When a business understands its values and vision — beyond last names — it can lead to a healthy workplace. “Leadership roles should be earned based on ability, performance, and leadership qualities, not by family relationships,” Cook said. “Families that create a culture where everyone is working toward the same goal are often the most successful, because no one person builds a great business alone.”

Planning Ahead The key to a successful transition, according to

Luke Ferkinhoff, lies in the planning. “By the time our dad actually retired, all the responsibilities and ownership had been shifted,” he said. “In the months before he retired, we made it official with all the legal paperwork and buy/sell agreements between us three new owners.” He is thankful, looking back, that they took the time to plan and avoid a messy transition, and grateful to continue East Side Glass as its third-generation owners. “The majority of third-generation owners don’t make it, and we constantly reminded ourselves of that so that nothing was taken for granted,” he said. Cook echoes the importance of a solid plan “The most successful transitions are intentional, not reactive,” he said. “They develop the next generation, gradually transfer responsibility,

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establish contingency plans for the unexpected, and commit to a realistic timeline for leadership transition.” Bertram encourages families to start succession planning sooner than they think they’ll need to. Conversations about who wants to lead, ownership structure, valuation and the previous generation’s future role shouldn't wait until retirement is around the corner. “The goal is not simply to transfer ownership. It is to prepare the next generation to lead, while honoring the people and legacy that made the opportunity possible.” Emily Bertram is director of marketing and communications at St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and editor of Business Central Magazine.

FAMILY LEGACY: D.J. BITZAN JEWELERS

ALegacy That Lasts For 60 years, D.J. Bitzan Jewelers has been part of life’s special moments across Central Minnesota. From engagement rings and wedding bands to anniversary gifts and heirloom redesigns, generations of families have trusted us to help celebrate the milestones that matter most.

What began in 1966 as a family-owned jewelry store has grown into something much bigger than fine jewelry. It has become a place where stories are shared, memories are created, and relationships are built to last for generations.

As we celebrate 60 years in business, we do so with immense gratitude — for our loyal clients, our dedicated team, and the Central Minnesota community that has allowed us to grow alongside them.

The Heart Behind What We Do At the heart of D.J. Bitzan Jewelers has always been one simple belief: community comes first. Over the decades, we’ve had the privilege of watching families grow. We’ve helped grandparents select gifts for milestone anniversaries, assisted parents in choosing graduation jewelry for their children, and years later welcomed those same children back to shop for engagement rings of their own. Those moments are what make this work so meaningful. Our team is passionate about giving back to the community that has supported us for six decades. Through local partnerships, charitable involvement, community events, and celebrating the accomplishments of local families and businesses, we are proud to continue investing in the place we call home.

“One thing that was really important to me was when we saw your dad at the VA. He was a volunteer on Tuesdays. The Bitzan family feels like family. ”

“I just knew that whatever Zach, my husband picked that I was going to love. Not only because the options were so beautiful, but because the help we received was so personal.”

“Because Dick knew Mary so well, he was able to create the perfect gift and ship it all the way to France. This is the personal touch that we’ve enjoyed these last 43 years.”

-Ken & Carol

-Mary

-Carl & Mary

203 Waite Ave N, Waite Park, MN 56387 | (320) 251-4812 | djbitzan.com D.J. Bitzan Jewelers is proud to serve as Central Minnesota’s leading jeweler.

SPECIAL FOCUS: GROWTH GUIDE

LEARNING CURVE Five area higher education institutions are evolving their programs, leadership and priorities to meet changing student and workforce needs. By Vicki Johnson

all semester has once again flooded the region with new and returning faces, each hoping to turn their academic ventures into career opportunities. Five of the area’s higher education institutions — St. Cloud State University (SCSU), St. Cloud Technical & Community College (SCTCC), College of St. Scholastica (CSS), College of St. Benedict/ St. John’s University (CSB/SJU), and University of Minnesota Medical School CentraCare Regional Campus — are ready to embrace that challenge as they work to prepare the next generation of professionals.

NEW FACES For the past nine months, SCSU

President Gregory Tomso has been diligently working with administration, faculty, and staff to provide much needed stability to the university. “It was tough at the beginning,” Tomso said. “But I was prepared for that. And I’ve been surprised at just how committed everyone is to the future successes of this university.” That commitment, Tomso said, is evident in the new community advisory board — uniting community leaders, business owners, and alumni on a quarterly basis with the goal to better integrate and align the university’s mission with the needs of today’s workforce. Internally, the largest change Tomso has rolled out has been

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the reorganization of SCSU’s five colleges into three: the College of Business, Engineering, and Technology; the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences; and the College of Arts and Sciences. “This was really driven by interrelated needs,” Tomso said. “One, to control costs, but more importantly, this was done to adapt to meet the needs of our students as well as the larger workforce.” It is his hope that with these changes, SCSU will position itself for the next chapter. “My strategy focuses on strategic cuts and strategic investments to help our students have great jobs and to position the university to emerge from this transition stable and ready for the future,” Tomso said.

While not much will physically change at CSS’s St. Cloud satellite location, the larger Duluth-based institution is preparing to welcome its new president, Brenda S. Kelly, this academic year. “Our new president has a background in chemistry and microbiology,” said Holly Mirau, director of media relations and communication. “That should really strengthen our institution’s healthcare programming — which would lift up the St. Cloud location.” Known for its accelerated pathways to nursing, CSS St. Cloud understands the critical need for nurses and works to educate those students who may have gone to school for something else, but are called to take care of others. The college also helps working nurses advance their education. “What makes us unique is the wide diversity of students we

have,” said Katie Halaas, director of graduate and non-traditional admissions. “We enroll students anywhere from 22 to 52 with backgrounds in everything from business to music. Nurses are in demand and we are filling our little niche role in Central Minnesota.”

NEW PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES Incoming Johnnies and Bennies are preparing for their own unique college experiences this fall. As John Andrick, CSB/SJU dean for student academic success, explained, freshmen will “calibrate their collegiate compass and embark on their True North Journey.” This new program consists of a three-pronged approach to student success. At the onset of the school year, freshmen will meet with

a traditional academic advisory team. However, in addition to academics, the True North Journey incorporates career coaching and mentorship — introduced at key milestones in a student’s academic journey. “While things were not broken for a majority of our students, there were still a number of our students who were not getting the full benefits of the college experience,” Andrick said. “Our intent is to close those experience gaps.” Andrick explained that the True North Journey program is designed to help students navigate their academic interests, guiding students to career possibilities, and ultimately connecting them with industry professionals and mentors to provide that transition from school to work. “A lot of

things offered at college are opt-in opportunities. You only get the benefits if you choose to,” Andrick said. “But some things are just vital components, not only while you are in school but in the workforce and the community as a whole.” SCTCC is welcoming incoming freshmen to two new programs this fall — aircraft maintenance technician and adult echocardiography. “We say we are the community’s college,” said SCTCC President Lori Kloos. “So we bring in our industry partners to make sure students have the skills that they need in order to get high-demand, sustaining-wage jobs locally.” Twenty-five students are currently set to begin the aircraft maintenance technician program this fall, a program made possible

For three decades, BCI Construction has proudly built spaces that strengthen our communities, support local growth, and bring people together, because

we’re better when we all do better.

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SPECIAL FOCUS: GROWTH GUIDE

“

When we look at starting programs, we often look to the core tenants of industry in St. Cloud, and that includes manufacturing and healthcare. Our focus is to continue building upon these opportunities.” — LORI KLOOS, SCTCC

through a collaboration with St. Cloud Sky Central Airport, St. Cloud Regional Airport Authority, and Delta Air Lines. Many of those students, Kloos said, are local and would probably not have relocated to go to school for this field. “We serve a lot of rural communities,” said Ken Matthews, SCTCC’s vice president of academic affairs and institutional effectiveness. “About 70 percent of our students come from the surrounding five county area. And many of our graduates tend to stay

local by either transferring directly to SCSU or heading right into the workforce.” SCTCC’s investment in the aircraft maintenance technician program is being further amplified through partnerships with the Minnesota National Guard and St. Cloud Aviation — the fixed-base operator. Additionally, SCTCC will be breaking ground on a new hangar, with an anticipated opening of fall 2027 to accommodate the future growth of the program. Complementing SCTCC’s cardiovascular technology and

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sonography program, the adult echocardiography program (welcoming 14 students this year) was created as a direct response to industry demand. “When we look at starting programs, we often look to the core tenants of industry in St. Cloud,” Kloos said. “And that includes manufacturing and healthcare. Our focus is to continue building upon these opportunities.”

NEW PARTNERSHIPS Caring and providing opportunities for rural communities is one of

the main reasons the U of M Medical School CentraCare Campus exists. The school’s primary focus is on training medical students to work in rural communities — helping to address the ongoing and future shortage of rural medical physicians here in Minnesota and across the country. As the medical school welcomes its second class of aspiring doctors, school leaders have high hopes for the future. “We are thrilled with the success we had this first year,” Story continues on page 46

SMART BUSINESS: CITY OF ST. CLOUD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT